Tectonic and geologic influences on soil gas radon emission along the western extension of Damascus fault,Syria

The main purpose of this work is to demonstrate the possibility of using soil gas radon survey as a promising technique for locating the trend of western extension of Damascus fault, where it is hidden under a cover of Pliocene unconsolidated deposits. The normal level of radon background was established in a stationary area away from the tectonic influence of the fault zone. The sites of radon measurements were chosen according to the accessibility and suitability of the area, besides some indicative geologic and tectonic evidences. A total of 81 radon sampling points were analyzed, and the results revealed some reasonable spatial increases, with peak values of 2–3 times higher than the background level, trending in accordance with what is believed to be the general direction of the fault in the bedrock. However, permeability properties rather than geotectonic activities seemed to be the main causes controlling the variations of radon concentration over the concerned fault zone. Yet, the moderate level of the observed radon values could be attributed to the nature of the prevailing rock types, as well as the probable effect of locked tectonic structure due to the action of high regional compressive regime which typically originates such reverse faulting. Further, the accumulation of fill materials due to rock alteration along the plane of such dormant fault, through long geologic time, possibly led to increase in the ratio of clay minerals which may affect soil gas mobility through the medium.     

Lead in archaeological samples: an isotopic study by ICP-MS

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been used to measure the concentration and isotopic composition of Pb in archaeological human and animal skeletal remains, soil from a village site of the Omaha tribe (U.S.A.) and cosmetic pigments.Lead concentrations in human bones from the Omaha tribe vary between 4.8 and 2570 μg/g, with younger people having the highest concentrations. Lead concentrations in animal bones from an Omaha village vary between 0.6 and 3.7 μg/g, and those of three soil samples range between 18 and 21 μg/g. Lead concentrations found in human bones from Anasazi (Utah, U.S.A.) and Alta (Peru) populations vary between 0.7 and 3.2 μg/g.Isotope ratios of a reagent grade Pb(NO₃)₂ solutions were measured by thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS), as well as by ICP-MS to provide laboratory reference materials. The accuracy of the ICP-MS measurements relative to TIMS for the standard solution were found to be within 0.02–0.31% for²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, 0.02–0.55% for²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, and 0.16–0.56% for²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁴Pb. The precision of measurements on artifacts was 0.42–0.65% for²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and 0.41–0.62% for²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb, whereas the precision for the same ratios for the bones was 0.85–1.8 and 0.82–1.67%, respectively. For the cosmetic lead-bearing pigments, a precision of 0.07–0.15% was found for both²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁴Pb and²⁰⁷Pb/²⁰⁴Pb ratios. Lead isotope ratios of artifacts give a radiogenic Pb signature, of which are close to signatures from PbZn mines of the central U.S. region. Lead isotope ratios of the pigments give non-radiogenic Pb signatures. Lead isotope ratios of the bones differ from those of the artifacts, and although similar in isotopic ratio to the pigments, they are more scattered, suggesting potential mixing of Pb from different regions.     

The middle Eocene high-K magmatism in Eastern Iran Magmatic Belt: constraints from U-Pb zircon geochronology and Sr-Nd isotopic ratios

ABSTRACT

Intrusive rocks are well-exposed in the south Birjand around the Koudakan is herein compared to previously studied outcrops along the middle Eocene to late Oligocene Eastern Iran Magmatic Belt. This pluton is composed mainly of monzonite, quartz-monzonite, and granite with high-K calc-alkaline to shoshonitic affinities. The U-Pb zircon geochronology from monzonite and quartz-monzonite reveals the crystallization ages of 40.96 ± 0.48 to 38.78 ± 0.78 Ma (Bartonian). The monzonite, quartz-monzonite, and granite rocks show similar REEs and trace element patterns, as well as limited variations in εNd_(i) and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) ratio, suggesting that they are a comagmatic intrusive suite. The chondrite and primitive mantle normalized rare earth and trace element patterns show enrichment in the light rare earth elements, K, Rb, Cs, Pb, Th, and U and depletion in heavy rare earth elements, Nb, Zr, and Ti. The εNd_(i) and ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr_(i) values range from +1.32 to +1.68 and 0.7044 to 0.7047, respectively, identical to island-arc basalt composition. The whole-rock Nd model age (T_DM) for the intrusive rocks range between 0.69 and 0.73 Ga. These geochemical and isotopic signatures indicate a subduction-related sub-continental lithospheric mantle source for these rocks. Our new geochemical, isotopic, and geochronological studies integrated with previously published data indicate that the middle Eocene to late Oligocene magmatism in eastern Iran was formed in a post-collisional tectonic environment. We suggest the northeastward subduction of the Neo-Tethys ocean beneath the Lut block and the eastward subduction of the Sistan ocean beneath the Afghan block caused mantle wedge to be metasomatized by slab components. At a later stage, a collision between the Lut and Afghan blocks was accompanied by the lithospheric delamination, and the subsequent asthenospheric upwelling led to the melting of the metasomatized sub-continental lithospheric mantle and the generation of middle Eocene to late Oligocene magmatism in the Eastern Iran Magmatic Belt.     

Households’ participation in solid waste management system of Homs city,Syria

GeoJournal - Solid waste management practice is a matter of concern for public health and environmental protection and has become a major challenge in Syria. Improper waste management can bear...     

Comparison of artificial neural networks,geographically weighted regression and Cokriging methods for predicting the spatial distribution of soil macronutrients (N,P, and K)

Soil macronutrients(i.e. nitrogen(N), phosphorus(P), and potassium(K)) are important soils components and knowing the spatial distribution of these parameters are necessary at precision agriculture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of different methods such as artificial neural networks(ANN) and two geostatistical methods(geographically weighted regression(GWR) and cokriging(CK)) to estimate N, P and K contents. For this purpose, soil samples were taken from topsoil(0–30 cm) at 106 points and analyzed for their chemical and physical parameters. These data were divided into calibration(n = 84) and validation(n = 22). Chemical and physical variables including clay, p H and organic carbon(OC) were used as auxiliary soil variables to estimate the N, P and K contents. Results showed that the ANN model(with coefficient of determination R~2 = 0.922 and root mean square error RMSE = 0.0079%) was more accurate compared to the CK model(with R~2 = 0.612 and RMSE = 0.0094%), and the GWR model(with R~2 = 0.872 and RMSE = 0.0089%) to estimate the N variable. The ANN model estimated the P with the RMSE of 3.630 ppm, which was respectively 28.93% and 20.00% less than the RMSE of 4.680 ppm and 4.357 ppm from the CK and GWR models. The estimated K by CK, GWR and ANN models have the RMSE of 76.794 ppm, 75.790 ppm and 52.484 ppm. Results indicated that the performance of the CK model for estimation of macro nutrients(N, P and K) was slightly lower than the GWR model. Also, the accuracy of the ANN model was higher than CK and GWR models, which proved to be more effective and reliable methods for estimating macro nutrients.     

Bearing capacity of sandy soil treated by Kenaf fibre geotextile

Bio-based materials are widely used recently in order to introduce a more sustainable construction material. Kenaf is a type of bio-based material that can be easily obtained in a tropical country, which could be a potential material to be utilised as a geotextile material because it has good tensile strength. The geotextile could be used to improve the bearing capacity of a loose soil. This paper presents a series of small-scale physical modelling tests to investigate the bearing capacity performance of Kenaf fibre geotextile laid on and inside the sand layer. A rigid footing was used to replicate a strip footing during the loading test, and sand was prepared based on 50% of relative density in a rigid testing chamber for ground model preparation. In order to treat the soil, Kenaf fibre geotextile was laid at four difference locations which are on the soil surface and underneath the ground model surface at 50, 75 and 100 mm deep. It was found that the usage of the Kenaf fibre geotextile has improved the bearing capacity of the sandy soil up to 414.9% as compared to untreated soil. It was also found that the depth of the Kenaf fibre geotextile treated into the soil also affects the soil performance.     

Experimental and analytical evaluation of the consolidation of tower 8 in the Damascus citadel

The object of this work is a building situated in the ancient citadel of Damascus: tower 8 which has been affected by devastating earthquakes and subjected to a consolidation process thanks to the Syrian–Italian Cooperation Project. The aim of this research is to investigate the dynamic characteristics of this consolidated structure. Hence, a mixed procedure of experimental measurements and analytical analysis has been chosen. Considering the geotectonic environment and the historical importance, ambient noise measurements are preferred as being a non-destructive technique and the most suitable for the study purpose. The dynamic characteristics of tower 8 are analyzed experimentally and analytically on the basis of ambient noise measurements, which have been performed on the ground and floors of the tower. With spectral analysis of ambient noise records, the predominant frequencies, amplification factors, and damping ratios have been determined. The experimental and analytical results have allowed verifying the efficiency of the consolidation interventions in tower 8.     

Geoelectrical exploration for groundwater in Al Maha Forest,Ain Jouhra,Morocco

An area of about 30 km² located in Ain Jouhra, south of Rabat, Morocco, was the subject of a geoelectric resistivity investigation. The main goal of the investigation was the assessment of the groundwater potential of the uppermost aquifer. The aquifer conditions such as depth, thickness and boundaries were also investigated. The obtained apparent resistivity curves were first analysed qualitatively and classified using simple curve shapes. Thereafter, the data were converted to resistivity and thickness pairs semi‐quantitatively by means of master curves and then quantitatively by computer modelling using ATO and Winsev software (Zohdy, 1989; Zohdy and Bisdrof, 1989). Lithological control from the available single well with a stratigraphic log aided in the correlation of the resistivity values to different rock units. Three different AB‐spacing iso‐resistivity maps, an isopach map of the main groundwater‐bearing horizon, the depth to the aquifer substratum map and five geoelectric cross‐sections were constructed. The interpretation of these soundings indicates the presence of an unconfined to semi‐confined sandy aquifer with relatively important extent and varying thickness. The maximal thickness of the aquifer is recorded in the central part of the investigated area and is thinning southwards to pinch out farther to the south. Geophysical as well as field data indicate a hydraulic connection between the upper and deeper aquifers. Indeed, the two aquifers are separated from each other by a marly substratum that is indicated throughout the area by the lowest values of the interpreted true resistivity. The value of this resistivity varies laterally, most likely due to the lateral variation in the shale‐to‐sand ratio. The altitude of the substratum decreases towards the north, and increases southwards. Regarding the availability of the groundwater in the study area, zones with high potential are theoretically expected to occur in the central part where the transversal resistance is greatest. However, sufficient water supply and high flow rates from wells intended to produce restrictively from the most upper aquifer are not likely to exist. This conclusion, which seems to be very pessimistic, is evidenced from two real field and experimental observations. The first is the rapid fall of the level of Gharnoug lake, despite the ongoing feeding by three wells. Hence, the amount of water level drop cannot be accounted for by the evaporation alone. That means that the deeper aquifer is continuously draining the upper aquifer at a high flow rate. Very low rates are recorded in all the wells that penetrated only the upper aquifer, the exception being the well that reached deeper into the lower aquifer. The flow rate in this lower aquifer measured 18 litre s^?1. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical Modeling of Well Design in Riverbank Filtration Systems

Analytical studies for well design adjacent to river banks are the most significant practical task in cases involving the efficiency of riverbank filtration systems. In times when high pollution of river water is joined with increasing water demand, it is necessary to design pumping wells near the river that provide acceptable amounts of river water with minimum contaminant concentrations. This will guarantee the quality and safety of drinking water supplies. This article develops an analytical solution based on the Green's function approach to solve an inverse problem: based on the required level of contaminant concentration and planned pumping time period, the shortest distance to the riverbank that has the maximum percentage of river water is determined. This model is developed in a confined and homogenous aquifer that is partially penetrated by the stream due to the existence of clogging layers. Initially, the analytical results obtained at different pumping times, rates and with different values of initial concentration are checked numerically using the MODFLOW software. Generally, the distance results obtained from the proposed model are acceptable. Then, the model is validated by data related to two pumping wells located at the first riverbank filtration pilot project conducted in Malaysia.     

Estimating reference evapotranspiration using numerical weather modelling

Evapotranspiration is an important hydrological process and its estimation usually needs measurements of many weather variables such as atmospheric pressure, wind speed, air temperature, net radiation and relative humidity. Those weather variables are not easily obtainable from in situ measurements in practical water resources projects. This study explored a potential application of downscaled global reanalysis weather data using mesoscale modelling system 5 (MM5). The MM5 is able to downscale the global data down to much finer resolutions in space and time for use in hydrological investigations. In this study, the ERA‐40 reanalysis data are downscaled to the Brue catchment in southwest England. The results are compared with the observation data. Among the studied weather variables, atmospheric pressure could be derived very accurately with less than 0·2% error. On the other hand, the error in wind speed is about 200–400%. The errors in other weather variables are air temperature (<10%), relative humidity (5–21%) and net radiation (4–23%). The downscaling process generally improves the data quality (except wind speed) and provides higher data resolution in comparison with the original reanalysis data. The evapotranspiration values estimated from the downscaled data are significantly overestimated across all the seasons (27–46%) based on the FAO Penman–Monteith equation. The dominant weather variables are net radiation (during the warm period) and relative humidity (during the cold period). There are clear patterns among some weather variables and they could be used to correct the biases in the downscaled data from either short‐term in situ measurements or through regionalization from surrounding weather stations. Artificial intelligence tools could be used to map the downscaled data directly into evapotranspiration or even river runoff if rainfall data are available. This study provides hydrologists with valuable information on downscaled weather variables and further exploration of this potentially valuable data source by the hydrological community should be encouraged. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.